Exercise in Women With Fibromyalgia

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Overall impact of fibromyalgia [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

The primary outcome will be assessed with the fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). FIQ is a self-administered questionnaire, comprising 10 subscales of disabilities and symptoms (physical function, work missed day, job ability, feel good, pain, fatigue, sleep, stiffness, anxiety and depression) and has been validated for Spanish fibromyalgia patients. The total scores range from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating greater effect of the condition on the person's life.

Tenderness [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

A total of 18 tender points will be assessed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification of fibromyalgia using a standard pressure algometer (FPK 20; Effegi, Alfonsine, Italy). The tender point count, total count of positive tender points, will be recorded for each participant. The algometer score will be calculated as the sum of the minimum pain-pressure values obtained for each tender point.

Visual analogic scale for pain [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

Visual analogic scale for pain. This is a simple assessment tool consisting of a 10 cm line with 0 on one end, representing no pain, and 10 on the other, representing the worst pain ever experienced, which a patient marks to indicate the severity of her pain in the present moment. This scale will also be administered before and after each session during the intervention, to assess the acute effect of exercise on pain.

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

It assesses three factors: rumination, magnification and helplessness associated to pain. It includes 13 items measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time). Higher scores indicate a greater tendency to catastrophize pain symptoms.

Body composition [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

Weight and height will be measured, body mass index [weight (kg)/height(m2)] will be calculated, and skeletal muscle mass, total body water and fat free mass will be estimated with bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody R20; Biospace, Gateshead, UK).

Functional capacity [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory will be used to measure fatigue severity, and comprises five subscales: general fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, reduced activity, and reduced motivation.

Sleep Quality [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used to assess sleep quality and disturbances

Health-related quality of life [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

We will determine patients' quality of life with the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36)

Cognitive function [ Time Frame: Participants will be followed over 24 weeks ]

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to evaluate cognitive capacity and severity of dementia for the exclusion criteria

Original Secondary Outcome Measures ICMJE

Same as current

Current Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Original Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Descriptive Information

Brief Title ICMJE

Exercise in Women With Fibromyalgia

Official Title ICMJE

Land- and Water-Based Exercise Intervention in Women With Fibromyalgia: The Al-Andalus Physical Activity Randomised Control Trial

Brief Summary

Background The Al-Andalus physical activity intervention study is a randomised control trial to investigate the effectiveness of a land- and water-based exercise intervention for reducing the overall impact of fibromyalgia (primary outcome), and for improving tenderness and pain-related measures, body composition, functional capacity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, fatigue, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function (secondary outcomes) in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods One hundred eighty women with fibromyalgia (age range: 35-65 years) will be recruited from local associations of fibromyalgia patients in Andalucía (Southern Spain). Patients will be randomly assigned to a usual care (control) group (n=60), a water-based exercise intervention group (n=60) or a land-based exercise intervention group (n=60). Participants in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention groups will attend three non-consecutive training sessions (60 minutes each) per week during 24 weeks. Both exercise interventions will consist of aerobic, muscular strength and flexibility exercises.

Discussion The investigators study attempts to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia and improve patients' health status by implementing two types of exercise interventions. Results from this study will help to assess the efficacy of exercise interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. If the interventions would be effective, this study will provide low-cost and feasible alternatives for health professionals in the management of fibromyalgia. Results from the Al-Andalus physical activity intervention will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of women with fibromyalgia.